Healthier living starts with breathing cleaner air in homes, schools, and workplaces

Supported by independent GP, Dr Preeya Alexander, Samsung explores the benefits air purifiers can bring to Australians.

Samsung Australia, with the support of Dr Preeya Alexander, is encouraging Australians to take control of their health and wellbeing in their homes, at school, and in their workplaces, by understanding the wellness benefits of air purifiers. Air purifiers that have been approved by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice program may benefit Australians affected by allergies and asthma[1]; so greater awareness may be all that is standing between many Australians and an improved quality of life.

According to Samsung research, 93% of Australians believe that air purifiers are useful on some level[2], yet the majority have little to no knowledge of what benefits air purifiers provide. Monthly search engine queries highlight the knowledge gap with common searches including: “What do Air purifiers do?”, “Do air purifiers work?” and, “How do air purifiers work?”[3]

Supporting Australians’ appetite for answers on the benefits of air purifiers is the appeal of reducing harmful toxins from their homes. One in three Australians find help to fight against allergies by reducing pollen, dander, and superfine particles appealing while pet owners would like help keeping pet hair and pet smells out of the house[4]. Other motivations for Australians include keeping their home free of seasonal bushfire smoke and protecting babies and children from common viruses and bacteria while reducing unpleasant baby odours[5].

According to General Practitioner, and Family wellness expert, Dr Preeya Alexander (@thewholesomedoctor), the COVID-19 pandemic has spurred many Australians to consider what they can take control of to live healthier, happier lives. Almost two thirds of Australians agree that COVID-19 has made them think more about the air they breathe, however only 1 in 5 can think of anything inside their home that is contributing to poor air quality[6]. While many Australians are taking steps to improve the air quality in their homes, they are turning to fans, odourising sprays, candles/incense and air fresheners which are not adequate when it comes to maintaining clean air.

“A big factor in our health is the air we breathe, however with air-borne pollutants being so small, it’s easy for Australians to forget they’re there and they can attribute sickness to something else, or simply concede that a chronic respiratory ailment is a burden to bear for life,” says Dr Preeya. “In offering advice on how to manage allergies and asthma, I urge patients to look at the environments they usually live or work in, and see if triggers such as mould or dust are present. Thinking about their regular exposure to pets, smoke, chemicals, heater/air con, nearby construction or even access to decent ventilation are also great places to start when thinking about what is causing asthma or allergies to flare.”

Dr Preeya continues: “With 1 in 10 Aussie[7] kids affected by asthma, decreasing the level of potential triggers in the air, such as dust, paint fumes, and bushfire smoke at home and in schools should be a top priority. Air purifiers[8] can quickly and easily reduce the impact of these pollutants which can lead to better health outcomes.”

Exploring Samsung’s range of award-winning Air Purifiers

Samsung’s line-up of air purifiers offer solutions that help purify air in spaces ranging from 41㎡ all the way to 90㎡. With easy-to-use features and great aesthetics, this award-winning line-up includes models AX90T, AX60, AX32, AX53 and AX70.

Each model in the range features a HEPA filtration system that removes up to 99.97 percent of 0.3㎛ ultra-fine dust[9], operates in virtual silence, and gives Australians the convenience to monitor and control air quality both manually or remotely via Wi-Fi control and the SmartThings mobile app[10]. Each of Samsung’s Air Purifiers are also approved by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice program meaning they have been reviewed and approved by an independent expert panel who has determined a potential benefit to someone with asthma and allergies.

Form with function for the home: Samsung BESPOKE Cube^TM

Samsung’s BESPOKE Cube^TM Air Purifiers offer a unique design that blends in almost seamlessly and stylishly in any home without compromising on its air purification capabilities. Winner of the Australian Good Design Award Gold Accolade 2022, the BESPOKE Cube^TM AX53 has a compact design to take up less space but still offer 53㎡ of coverage, while the BESPOKE Cube^TM AX70 offers 70㎡ of coverage and features concealed wheels that conveniently makes it portable between spaces in the home. Key innovations include WindFree™ mode which helps to purify an indoor space with less noise[11] and almost no direct draft.

The Cube features a powerful HEPA filtration system, with a pet filter to help capture fine and large dust particles and even soft pet hair. An activated carbon-based pet deodorisation filter also helps reduce unpleasant odours[12].

The Samsung Ultimate AX90T

Safe and secure at schools and work: Samsung’s Essential, Versatile, and Ultimate purifiers

Samsung’s Essential Air Purifier AX32 is an even more compact unit that takes up minimal space with the purpose of being placed virtually anywhere – from a baby’s nursery to a workspace cubical. The AX32 offers powerful air purification for rooms up to 41m² along with Wi-Fi and SmartThings connectivity¹⁰, giving Australians more options when it comes to choosing the right air purifier for their space.

Awarded CHOICE’s Recommended Air Purifier in 2021 and 2022[13], the Samsung Versatile AX60T is ideal for living spaces including the kitchen, dining rooms, and master bedrooms. With a coverage reach of 60㎡, the AX60’s concealed wheels and smart features make it easy to move into various spaces and adjust settings for optimised functionality.

For open-plan homes, larger classrooms and corporate spaces, the Samsung Ultimate AX90T is ideal with a coverage reach of 90㎡. Awarded CHOICE’s Best Overall Performer Air Purifier[14] for a second year in a row, the Samsung AX90T was also the air purifier of choice for the Department of Education and Training Victoria who installed 111,000 AX90T Air Purifier units in Victorian schools to help reduce the risk of airborne transmission of COVID-19 as part of its safe return-to-school plan.

“When it comes to quality performance of air purifiers, there is little difference between commercial and domestic products – clear air is clean air,” says Dr Preeya. “Research from the University of Melbourne[15] shows that standard ventilation systems (HVAC) in schools, workplaces, and hospitals alone are quite poor at clearing rooms of aerosols such as seasonal bushfire smoke, taking an hour or more. In adding an affordable air purifier such as the Samsung AX90T to a 25m space, the HVAC and air purifier together can clear a room of harmful aerosols just 10 minutes[16]. Whether at home, at work, or at school, an air purifier can help improve your overall wellbeing by clearing the air quickly and efficiently,” says Dr Preeya.

With around 6.7 million Australians considering purchasing an air purifier in the next year[17], Dr Preeya has shared top tips on what to look out for with health outcomes in mind.

1. Ensure the air purifier has a HEPA filtration system⁹ designed to inhibit the spread of bacteria and capture allergy-causing dust, pollen and mould particles and even soft pet hair.
2. Ask whether the air purifier includes an activated, carbon-based deodorisation filter to help manage odours and harmful gases[18].
3. Check the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). The higher the rate, the faster the air is purified. The target Clean Air delivery rate is four times per hour[19]. 
4. Take advantage of Wi-Fi Control and SmartThings[20] to have the ability to both remotely monitor the air quality and operate your purifier to conveniently suit your needs.
5. Look for third party accreditation and awards (CHOICE Recommendation, National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice program, Canstar) for reassurance and credibility that you are buying a product that has been independently and rigorously tested for high quality performance and health benefits claims.

View Samsung x Dr Preeya Alexander’s Air Purification tips here on Samsung Australia’s YouTube.     

Samsung’s range of Air Purifiers are available from $399[21] from local Australian retailers and the Samsung Online Store.

For further information on Samsung’s range of Air Purifiers, visit https://www.samsung.com/au/air-purifier/

[1] Samsung Air Purifier Insights and Opportunities 2023 report (pg. 6). Samsung Air Purifiers are intended for cleaning, sanitising and deodorising air in the home. They are not medical devices and are not intended for the treatment or prevention of any disease or condition.

[2] Samsung Air Purifier Insights and Opportunities 2023 report (pg. 5)

[3] Samsung Air Purifier Insights and Opportunities 2023 report (pg. 5): “What do Air purifiers do?” (900 searches per month), “Do air purifiers work?” (800 searches per month), and, “How do air purifiers work?” (400 searches per month).

[4] Samsung Quick Insights: Air Purifiers, n=1,006 Australians aged 16-69, nationally representative on age, gender and location. Research conducted 28 September to 1 October 2021.

[5] Samsung Quick Insights: Air Purifiers, n=1,006 Australians aged 16-69, nationally representative on age, gender and location. Research conducted 28 September to 1 October 2021.

[6] Samsung Quick Insights: Air Purifiers, n=1,006 Australians aged 16-69, nationally representative on age, gender and location. Research conducted 28 September to 1 October 2021.

[7] https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/children-youth/australias-children/contents/health/asthma-prevalence-children

[8] Samsung air purifiers are intended for cleaning, sanitising and deodorising air in the home.  They are not medical devices and are not intended for the treatment or prevention of any disease or condition.

[9] The filter media has over 99.97% dust collection efficiency, based on a particle size of 0.26㎛, as specified by 42 CFR part 84. Antibacterial function tested on the filter media of the dust collecting filter. Tested in the National Test Institute of Korea.

[10] Each device must be connected to Wi-Fi or other wireless network. For interoperability through SmartThings, all the devices should be registered with a single Samsung Account. Available technology, functions, and features may vary by country, service provider, network environment, or product, and are subject to change without notice. Compatible devices must be purchased separately in order to access SmartThings Services.

[11] Based on internal testing, comparing WindFree^TM mode (22dB) with High Speed mode (50dB).

[12] Based on testing compliance with the deodorisation efficiency standard of the Korea Air Cleaning Association (Model tested AX53A9379WGD) and odour removal efficiency tested by Intertek (Model tested AX350A9350G/AA). Results may vary depending on the actual usage conditions.

[13] More information is available via the CHOICE website https://www.choice.com.au/

[14] More information is available via the CHOICE website https://www.choice.com.au/

[15] Report on efficacy of portable air scrubbers, by Professor J. Monty, W. Lee, M. Rounds, University of Melbourne, 2021. Further information available on request.

[16] Report on efficacy of portable air scrubbers, by Professor J. Monty, W. Lee, M. Rounds, University of Melbourne, 2021. Further information available on request.

[17] Samsung Quick Insights: Air Purifiers, n=1,006 Australians aged 16-69, nationally-representative on age, gender and location. Research conducted 28 September to 1 October 2021.

[18] Tested on the AX80K7580WFD for toluene, xylene, benzene, ethylbenzene, styrene & formaldehyde gases in the National Test Institute of Korea.

[19] Which air cleaners work best to remove aerosols that contain viruses? | Pursuit by The University of Melbourne (unimelb.edu.au)

[20] Requires compatible device and updated operating system with connection to Wi-Fi or other wireless network. Samsung Account required.

[21] In-store and other retailers’ prices may vary.